It was a sunny summer’s day in 1996 when I turned up at Dermot Morgan’s flat in south west London.

The second series of Father Ted had recently been screened and Morgan was still on a high from landing a BAFTA award for Best Comedy.

Dressed in a white T-shirt, black jeans, high waistcoat and black jacket, he still looked like a man of the cloth – even with baseball boots on.

As we grabbed a cab to take us to a French restaurant for the interview, the cabbie immediately recognised him. “You’re that Irish priest guy, aren’t you?” he asked.

Morgan, by then used to cries of “Oi, Father Ted” on the streets of London, allowed himself a chuckle.

Only a couple of years before, his fame had not travelled beyond Dublin Airport or Holyhead.

In the restaurant he was in fine form, doing a series of funny voices and impressions. Although we had met only a couple of times before, it felt like having lunch with an old pal.

He laughed heartily when I reminded him how he had once met my wife by accident – when she rear- ended his car during rush hour on Baggot Street Bridge in Dublin.

He gleefully lambasted RTE for dropping Scrap Saturday. And as the wine flowed, he spoke of his love of playing Father Ted, but vowed that Ted was the last Irish priest he would ever play. “I don’t want to be pigeon-holed, so this is definitely it.”

One bottle turned into two, which soon became three. By now, most of the other diners seemed to be earwigging as I laughed helplessly at his antics. It was one of the most enjoyable lunches I’ve ever had and one I will never forget.

Our paths crossed again at Ted star Pauline McLynn’s wedding last September. He told me: “I was a bit upset myself and Dougal were not asked to perform the ceremony. Perhaps she was worried we’d mess it up or something.”

Dermot Morgan was guaranteed to brighten up any gathering. Unlike many so-called comic geniuses, he was also very funny off-stage.

As the tributes poured in last night, it became clear just how well-loved this man really was.

He will be sorely missed.